WRITERS’ GROUPS MEET IN NEIGHBORHOOD: The Writer’s Garret hosts several literary events on a monthly basis at Paperbacks Plus, 6115 LaVista, among which is the Writers’ Block, a free forum on literary topics.

On Jan. 14, the Writers’ Block features U T D instructor Millard Lampell, who will discuss “In the Shadow of McCarthyism: Writers Then and Now” at 1 p.m. Following the discussion, the attending writers will read their own work.

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On the third Sunday of each month, Peggy Little’s Writers’ Roundtable and Joe Stanco’s Poets’ Roundtable meet. This month, the writer’s roundtable is at 1 p.m. and the poets’ is at 3 p.m. Both are Jan. 21.

The Lakewood Poetry Group also meets the first Friday of each month at Paperbacks Plus. Contact Thea Temple for Writer’s Garret information at 828-1715 and Michael Puttonen for Lakewood Poetry information at 827-2626.

LIBRARY BOOK REVIEW SERIES: Rose-Mary Rumbley, local historian, humorist and author, will speak Jan. 30 at 1:30 p.m. at the Lakewood Library, 6121 Worth, as part of the 1996 Book Review Series sponsored by Lakewood Library Friends. Rumbley will discuss “First Encounters”, a book about people meeting people with a neighborhood twist. Completing the 1996 series will be Jimmie Kennedy, reviewing two biographies about Ingrid Bergman on Feb. 27, and Prudence McIntosh, local author and writer for Texas Monthly and D Magazine, who speaks March 26. All programs are free and open to the public. For information, call the library at 670-1376.

BIG OPPORTUNITY FOR ARTISTS: Neighborhood artists have a chance to see their work on billboards thank to Road Art!, a cooperative effort of Elter Media Co. and the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs, Road Art!, a project Councilman Mary Poss helped launch, is a competition in Dallas/Fort Worth that will award four winners the chance to see their work reproduced on 14-foot by 48-foot billboards on Dallas roadways. Entries are due to Eller Media, 3700 E. Randol Mill Road, in Arlington by 5 p.m. on Jan. 12. Winners will be announced in March, and each will receive a $500 honorarium. Only one entry is allowed per artist, and there is no entry fee. For guidelines, call Brenda McMickle at (817) 640-4550.

NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENT PUBLISHES POETRY: East Dallas resident Nancy Srebro’s poem, “Abulations”, was recently published in “Between the Raindrops”, a book of poems compiled by the National Library of Poetry. Srebro has been writing for 10 years. She is a graduate of Greenhill High School.

FOR FILM LOVERS: The Oasis Film Society meets at 7 p.m. every Saturday at Paperbacks Plus, 6115 LaVist, in the Lakewood Shopping Center. The group is for film enthusiasts and aspiring movie makers. Attendees are asked to make a $5 donation. Call Scott Means for information at 824-5969.

FAMILY THEATER FUN: The Dallas Theater Center presents Family Day on Jan. 6 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., a free open-house that includes sample theater classes, puppet shows and a free performance of “The Ugly Duckling”. The event is at the Kalia Humphreys Theater, 3636 Turtles Creek. Call 526-8210, ext. 304, for information.

AUTHOR DISCUSSES HER WORK: Neila Skinner Patrick, author of “Jane Long, Mother of Texas”, addresses the Dallas chapter of the Women’s National Book Association at 6:30 p.m. at Paperbacks Plus, 6115 La Vista, on Jan. 24. The event is open to the public. Call 827-4860 for information.